World Land Trust Staff (1)

Chief Executive Officer

John A Burton

More than 30 years experience in international conservation, including working with Friends of the Earth and 12 years as Chief Executive of Fauna & Flora International. Set up the first TRAFFIC offices for IUCN. Author & broadcaster.

Read John's biography »

Head of Communications

Vivien Burton

Office Manager for Fauna & Flora International for seven years. Worked as Conservation Assistant for Sir Peter Scott in his capacity as Chairman of IUCN’s Species Survival Commission. Has acted as Rapporteur for SSC Meetings and several CITES Conference of the Parties Meetings including New Delhi, Gaborone and Buenos Aires. Has worked with WLT since its inception and helped its development from the early days of Programme for Belize.

Conservation Communications Manager

Marie Chambers

A Human Geography graduate with a Masters in Biodiversity Conservation, Marie joined WLT staff in September 2009 to assist the Head of Communications and help organise and run WLT events. Previously she worked for two years for the Elephant Family charity based in London. She loves travelling and long distance running.

Communications Development Co-ordinator

Elaine Shaughnessy

A scientist by training, Elaine has held senior positions in communications and development for over 20 years, including as the Head of Development for the Linnean Society of London and Head of Publishing for IUCN, International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Elaine has a long association with WLT including as a member of the Trust's Council. Responsible for training on communications, supporting development of content and for co-ordination of WLT's exhibit 'Saving the Atlantic Rainforest' at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May.

Special Projects Development

Roger Wilson

Has a long association with the WLT, including as a Technical Advisor to Programme for Belize. Has been involved in conservation fieldwork for over 30 years and with forestry and restoration ecology projects for over 10 years, with extensive experience in West and Central Africa, Belize and other parts of Central America. Responsible for the co-ordination and direction of the WLT Conservation Programme, in collaboration with other senior staff and under the overall oversight of the CEO.

Conservation Programmes Manager

Kirsty Burgess

An Ecology & Wildlife Management graduate who joined the WLT in 2000 on a six-month internship in Project Development. Since then she has been co-ordinating the Trust's conservation programmes. Provides support and liaison for overseas partner organisations, carries out site visits, and develops monitoring programmes for international projects. Interested in tropical conservation ever since exploring the reefs, caves and mangroves of Malaysia in her childhood. Can often be seen out walking her dog, Nutmeg.

Conservation Projects Officer (Africa & Americas Region)

Ruth Canning

An Environmental Biology graduate with a Masters in Wildlife Biology and Conservation who joined the WLT in March 2007. Provides support and liaison for overseas partner organisations with direct responsibility for managing the Trust's Central and South American projects.  Also co-ordinates research and development of new projects with a particular focus on the Americas and Africa.

Conservation Projects Officer (Asia Region)

Mary Tibbett

A Tropical Environmental Science graduate who joined WLT in September 2008 after 3 years working in the UK ecological consultancy sector. Responsible for project administration and development of projects with a geographical focus on Asia. Also manages the Trust’s UK based project at Kites Hill and the Books for Conservation Programme.

Conservation Projects Officer (South America) (currently on maternity leave)

Lorienne Whittle

An Ecology graduate with a Masters in Primate Conservation who joined WLT in July 2008 as a Projects Development Intern. Prior to this, travelled in Latin America, stopping en route to volunteer on conservation projects. Assists in the administration of South American projects and in particular is responsible for providing support and liaison for WLT’s Paraguay projects. 

Restoration Ecology Projects Officer, Restoration Ecology Team

Rebecca Absalom

A Geology graduate who spent the third year of her degree on an international placement in New South Wales, Australia, where she also completed her independent mapping project. Volunteered for conservation organisations and worked for an environmental consultancy before joining the WLT in 2007, where she is responsible for the administration, development and management of WLT’s restoration ecology projects.

Projects Development Assistant

Kristina Turner

A graduate with a Masters in Conservation and Biodiversity who joined WLT in September 2008 as an intern. Previously volunteered and worked for conservation organisations in Tanzania, South Africa, Tenerife and Cyprus. Currently working on a joint project with IUCN-NL developing a training programme for African NGOs in relation to carbon funding for conservation.

Carbon Programme Officer, Restoration Ecology Team

Neil Williams

A geology graduate with an interest in nature and research experience from Iceland where he investigated climate-related glacial retreat.  Having completed an MSc in Finance and Management and training in financial auditing, Neil joined WLT's Restoration Ecology team in August 2009 to help with the administration and development of the Carbon Balanced programme.

Projects Development Assistant

Claire Thompson

A Zoology graduate, inspired by her travels and volunteer work in Chile and Mexico, Claire has a particular passion for Latin America. Having completed her internship with WLT, she joined the Restoration Ecology team in January 2010 to assist in the development and implementation of a new project in Paraguay. She also assists with translation work for the Trust.

Donations Manager (currently on maternity leave)

Anne Clifford

An Archaeology and Anthropology graduate who joined the Trust in September 2003. Responsible for the management of the Trust's supporter database. When not in the WLT office, she can generally be found either working on the family's organic farm or acting with a local drama group.

Acting Donations Manager

Karen Lowe

With a love of wildlife and the outdoors, Karen was delighted to join WLT's Donor Support team in October 2009. In her free time she loves being outside and can often be found walking around the woods or along the beach with her son and dog.

Communications Officer

Clare Richardson

Clare has spent the past three years working as an Events and Marketing Coordinator for a large publisher in London and New York but returned at the end of 2008 to live in Suffolk's Waveney Valley where she was born and bred. She works with the WLT's Donations, Events and Corporate Support team. In her spare time she enjoys horse riding, boxing, and playing the ukulele very badly, and also cooking and vegetable gardening.

Donations Assistant

Julia Warnes